Verbena plant named ‘Balcadredim’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Verbena  plant named ‘Balcadredim’, characterized by its medium red-colored flowers having a white-colored “eye”, medium green-colored foliage, and moderately vigorous, compact-upright growth habit, is disclosed.

Latin name of genus and species of plant claimed: Verbena hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘Balcadredim’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Verbenaplant botanically known as Verbena hybrid and hereinafter referred to bythe cultivar name ‘Balcadredim’.

The new cultivar originated in a controlled breeding program in ArroyoGrande, Calif. during May 2016. The objective of the breeding programwas the development of Verbena cultivars that have a compact-uprightgrowth habit.

The new Verbena cultivar is the result of cross-pollination. The female(seed) parent of the new cultivar is the proprietary Verbena hybridbreeding selection coded 16-10755-3, not patented, characterized by itsmedium red-colored flowers having a white-colored “eye”, mediumgreen-colored foliage, and moderately vigorous, compact-upright growthhabit. The male (pollen) parent of the new cultivar is the proprietaryVerbena hybrid breeding selection coded 16-10724-1, not patented,characterized by its medium cherry-red colored flowers having awhite-colored “eye”, medium green-colored foliage, and moderatelyvigorous, compact-upright growth habit. The new cultivar was selected asa single flowering plant within the progeny of the above statedcross-pollination during August 2017 in a controlled environment inArroyo Grande, Calif.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal stem cuttings sinceAugust 2017 in Arroyo Grande, Calif., and West Chicago, Ill. hasdemonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all ofthe characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retainedthrough successive generations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics of the new cultivar have been repeatedlyobserved and can be used to distinguish ‘Balcadredim’ as a new anddistinct cultivar of Verbena plant:

-   -   1. Medium red-colored flowers having a white-colored “eye”;    -   2. Medium green-colored foliage; and    -   3. Moderately vigorous, compact-upright growth habit.

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the female and maleparents primarily by having a greater plant height.

Of the many commercially available Verbena cultivars, the most similarin comparison to the new cultivar is Cadet Upright Red ‘Balcadred’, notpatented. However, in side-by-side comparisons, plants of the newcultivar differ from plants of ‘Balcadred’ in at least the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new cultivar have slightly more scarlet-red        colored flowers than plants of ‘Balcadred’; and    -   2. Plants of the new cultivar have a greater plant width than        plants of ‘Balcadred’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in color illustrations of this type, typicalflower and foliage characteristics of the new cultivar. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed description, which accurately describes the colors of‘Balcadredim’. The approximately 6-month-old plants were grown in4.5-inch pots for approximately 3 months, then transplanted into 6-inchpots and grown for an additional 2 months in a greenhouse in WestChicago, Ill. Plants were given one pinch two weeks before the firsttransplant.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of the overall growth and flowering habitof ‘Balcadredim’.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of an individual inflorescence of‘Balcadredim’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new cultivar has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotype mayvary somewhat with variations in the environment, such as temperature,light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance ingenotype.

The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is TheR.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England,2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significanceare used. The color values were determined in March 2020 under naturallight conditions in West Chicago, Ill.

The following descriptions and measurements describe approximately6-month-old plants produced from cuttings from stock plants and grown ina glass-covered greenhouse under conditions comparable to those used incommercial practice. The plants were grown in West Chicago, Ill.utilizing a soilless growth medium in 4.5-inch pots for approximately 3months, then transplanted into 6-in pots and grown for an additional 2months. Plants were given one pinch two weeks before the firsttransplant. Greenhouse temperatures were maintained at approximately 67°F. to 72° F. (19° C. to 22° C.) during the day and approximately 65° F.to 68° F. (18° C. to 20° C.) during the night. Supplemental lighting wasused. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typicalplants.

-   Botanical classification: Verbena hybrid ‘Balcadredim’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary Verbena hybrid breeding selection            coded 16-10755-3, not patented.        -   Male parent.—Proprietary Verbena hybrid breeding selection            coded 16-10724-1, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type cutting.—Terminal stem.        -   Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 6 to 9 days.        -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—Approximately 24 to 28            days.        -   Root description.—Fibrous.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching.-   Plant description:    -   -   Commercial crop time.—Approximately 5 to 7 weeks from a            rooted cutting to finish in a 10 cm pot.        -   Growth habit and general appearance.—Moderately vigorous,            compact-upright.        -   Size.—Height from soil level to top of plant plane:            Approximately 19.0 cm. Width: Approximately 31.0 cm.        -   Branching habit.—Freely branching, pinching enhances basal            branching, Quantity of main branches per plant:            Approximately 7.        -   Branch.—Shape: Square in cross section. Strength: Strong.            Length: Approximately 10.0 cm. Diameter: Approximately            3.0 mm. Length of central internode: Approximately 1.0 cm.            Texture: Densely pubescent with a mixture of glandular and            nonglandular hairs. Gland color: Colorless, transparent.            Color of young stems: 145A. Color of mature stems: 144A.-   Foliage description:    -   -   General description.—Quantity of leaves per main branch:            Approximately 10. Fragrance: None detected. Form: Simple.            Arrangement: Opposite.        -   Leaves.—Aspect: Perpendicular to stem, obtuse angle with            age. Shape: Ovate to oblong. Margin: Crenate. Apex: Broadly            acute. Base: Truncate. Venation pattern: Pinnate. Length of            mature leaf: Approximately 4.5 cm. Width of mature leaf:            Approximately 2.8 cm. Texture of upper surface: Densely            pubescent. Texture of lower surface: Densely pubescent with            a mixture of glandular and nonglandular hairs. Gland color:            Colorless, transparent. Color of upper surface of young and            mature foliage: Closest to but darker than 137A with            venation of 147C. Color of lower surface of young and mature            foliage: Closest to 137B with venation of 147C.        -   Petiole.—Length: Approximately 1.0 cm. Diameter:            Approximately 2.0 mm. Texture: Densely pubescent with a            mixture of glandular and nonglandular hairs. Gland color:            Colorless, transparent. Color: 147C.-   Flowering description:    -   -   Flowering habit.—‘Balcadredim’ is freely flowering under            outdoor growing conditions with substantially continuous            blooming from spring through autumn and year-round in            greenhouse environment.        -   Lastingness of individual flower on the plant.—Approximately            5 to 7 days.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   General description.—Type: Corymb. Shape: Hemispherical.            Quantity per plant: Approximately 7. Fragrance: None            detected. Length or height: 3.5 cm. Width: Approximately            6.0 cm. Quantity of fully open flowers per inflorescence:            Approximately 13.        -   Peduncle.—Strength: Strong. Aspect: Erect. Length:            Approximately 2.0 cm. Diameter: Approximately 2.0 mm.            Texture: Densely pubescent with a mixture of glandular and            nonglandular hairs. Gland color: Colorless, transparent.            Color: 145A.-   Flower description:    -   -   General description.—Type: Sessile, salverform.        -   Bud.—Rate of opening: Generally takes 2 to 3 days for bud to            progress from first color to fully open flower. Quantity of            unopened inflorescences per plant: Approximately 9.        -   Bud just before opening.—Shape: Elongated, globular at apex.            Length: Approximately 1.5 cm. Diameter: Approximately            3.0 mm. Color: Petal portion NN155B with an overlay of 77C            to 77A, sepal portion 137B.        -   Corolla.—Shape: Round. Diameter: Approximately 2.3 cm.            Depth: Approximately 2.8 cm.        -   Petals.—Quantity: 5, fused at base forming a tube. Shape:            Obovate. Appearance: Matte. Margin: Entire. Apex:            Emarginate. Length of upper petals from tube: Approximately            1.1 cm. Width of upper petals: Approximately 1.0 cm. Length            of lateral petals from tube: Approximately 1.1 cm. Width of            lateral petals: Approximately 1.1 cm. Length of lower petal            from tube: Approximately 1.2 cm. Width of lower petal:            Approximately 1.2 cm. Texture of upper surface: Glabrous            with glandular pubescent base. Gland color: Colorless,            transparent. Texture of lower surface: Sparsely pubescent            with a mixture of glandular and nonglandular hairs. Gland            color: Colorless, transparent. Color of upper surface when            first and fully open: 45B with an overlay of 46A near base,            NN155D at throat opening. Color of lower surface when first            and fully open: Closest to but lighter than 45D with NN155D            at base of all petals. Color of whiskers surrounding the            opening of the corolla tube: NN155B.        -   Corolla tube.—Length: Approximately 2.0 cm. Diameter at            proximal end: Approximately 1.0 mm. Diameter at distal end:            Approximately 2.0 mm. Texture of outer surface: Upper half            sparsely glandular pubescent, lower half glabrous. Gland            color: Colorless, transparent. Texture of inner surface:            Densely pubescent. Color of outer surface: 145D. Color of            inner surface: NN155B with 158D at throat opening.        -   Calyx.—Shape: Tubular with 5 acute tips. Length:            Approximately 1.2 cm. Width: Approximately 3.0 mm.        -   Sepals.—Quantity per flower: 5, fused at base. Shape:            Linear. Apex: Acute. Length: Approximately 1.2 cm. Width:            Approximately 1.0 mm. Texture of inner surface: Moderately            pubescent. Texture of outer surface: Densely pubescent with            a mixture of glandular and nonglandular hairs. Gland color:            Colorless, transparent. Color of inner and outer surfaces:            137A.        -   Stipules.—Shape: Lanceolate. Apex: Acute. Length:            Approximately 8.0 mm. Width at base: Approximately 1.0 mm.            Texture of inner surface: Sparsely pubescent. Texture of            outer surface: Densely pubescent with a mixture of glandular            and nonglandular hairs. Gland color: Colorless, transparent.            Color of inner and outer surfaces: 137A with 144A at base.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Stamen quantity: 4,            didynamous. Stamen length of longer pair: Approximately            2.0 mm. Stamen length of shorter pair: Approximately 1.0 mm.            Anther shape: Bilobed, ovoid. Anther length: Approximately            1.0 mm. Anther color: 145B. Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen            color: 1D. Gynoecium: Pistil quantity: 1 per flower. Pistil            length: Approximately 1.9 cm. Stigma shape: Bifid. Stigma            length: Less than 1.0 mm. Stigma color: 137A. Style length:            Approximately 1.8 cm. Style color: 145D. Ovary diameter:            Approximately 1.0 mm. Ovary texture: Glabrous. Ovary color:            144B.-   Seed and fruit production: Neither seed nor fruit production has    been observed.-   Disease and pest resistance: Desistance to pathogens and pests    common to Verbena has not been observed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Verbena plantnamed ‘Balcadredim’, substantially as herein illustrated and described.